What Are The Similarities Between Harriet Tubman, The Slave Freer And Rosa Parks

2067 Words9 Pages

Two of the most well-known, moving women in history are Harriet Tubman, the slave freer, and Rosa Parks, the brave rebel. Many people know of these two women but have more than likely not drawn a connection between the two of them. There are a few different areas that can help to develop one’s perception about the impact these two women. As children these two women were raised to be strong, independent, and influential. This childhood lead to their participation in two massively important movements in American History. On top of all of these areas, an understanding of the similarities and differences between the two can greatly help one to realize the relationship that they share. The last facet to the understanding of these historic leaders …show more content…

First of all they both are highly influential women figures that both stand for bravery and freedom for all Americans. Rosa believed in equal rights for all African-Americans and sought out to fulfil that dream no matter the cost. Harriet Tubman had similar circumstances, except a little more risk was involved. These two situations are related because both of the women stood up for what they believed in. Another similarity between these two movements is that they both were fighting for some form of freedom. Despite the hardships that both of these women had to face both of them were greatly honored a little ways down the road. Harriet was shown minimal recognition aid given to the Union Army. After almost thirty years of consideration Harriet was awarded $20 each month, which was a small amount considering all she had sacrificed. At her funeral she was honored by the United States military. The last bit of recognition Harriet got was when the United States government payed tribute to her by instituting a postage stamp in her remembrance (Kranz and Koslow). Just like her freedom-accomplice, Rosa Parks was also given many awards for her bravery. In 1975, Twelfth Street located in Detroit was renamed Rosa Parks Boulevard (Parks 184). There is a Rosa Parks freedom award that is given out annually. On top of this award there is also the Presidential Medal of Freedom that …show more content…

The first obvious difference between the two women fighting for freedom amongst Americans is that Harriet Tubman fought for a far more dangerous cause of freeing slaves. The people that wanted to get rid of slavery looked at Harriet Tubman as a hero, but the pro-slavery southerners believed her to be a serious threat to their way of life. In 1860, Harriet was beaten after she allegedly evaded a runaway slave group from the police (Kranz and Koslow). When Harriet stood up for what she believed in and it got her brutally beaten. On the other hand when Rosa fought for Civil Rights by not moving on the bus, Rosa was only arrested and fined, a much less-severe punishment. The time period that these two women lived in was also another difference that separated them from each other. Harriet lived in the 1800’s whereas Rosa Lived in the 1900’s. In Harriet’s time slavery was a big economic activity for the South whereas in Rosa Parks’s time period slavery had already been abolished and the fight for African-American rights was the issue. The last difference between these two women is how they were involved in their particular movements. Harriet was brave and did no matter what it took to help slaves in need even if the outcome would be a violent one. For example one day, while in New York, Harriet observed a runaway slave that was being held by police officers. Fearing

Open Document